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Technical Piston ID (Please and thank you).

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Pass The Torch, Apr 2, 2019.

  1. Pass The Torch
    Joined: May 18, 2018
    Posts: 1,629

    Pass The Torch
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I have a set of these, which I thought were Ford according to the paperwork that happened to be in the box, but was told otherwise. They were part of my uncle's hoard of "stuff". Just now getting around to posting them here and asking for an opinion and help. The only markings are JE and 154. They're about 4.5 diameter; I suspect DeSoto Hemi, but have no way to verify.

    Thanks in advance.
    IMG_4135.jpg IMG_4134.jpg IMG_2325.jpg
     
    Joel W likes this.
  2. Gerrys
    Joined: May 1, 2009
    Posts: 327

    Gerrys
    Member

    Look like blower pistons big hemi 426 or bigger.
     
  3. sunbeam
    Joined: Oct 22, 2010
    Posts: 6,213

    sunbeam
    Member

    There never was a Desoto hemi with any thing close to 4.5" bore I doubt they are blower with that much dome. A 426 will have a 1.0936 pin Early Chrysler .9842 Desoto .9217
     
  4. Ebbsspeed
    Joined: Nov 11, 2005
    Posts: 6,250

    Ebbsspeed
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    Manufactured by JE Pistons no doubt, but couldn't find any "154" in their catalog. They are for some version of hemi, given the valve pockets. Take some precise measurements and send them to JE to identify.
     

  5. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,933

    squirrel
    Member

    and they're cast....hmmm....

    Yup, first step is to measure the diameter accurately.
     
    RICH B likes this.
  6. Fordors
    Joined: Sep 22, 2016
    Posts: 5,372

    Fordors
    Member

    I could not find the connection in a search but I'm pretty sure JE Pistons ( it possibly stood for Jahns Engineering ) was an off-shoot of Jahns Piston Company. See the circular ribs inside the skirt? The sand cast, early JE's had that but Jahns didn't use those, Jahns had a waffle pattern ribbing under the crown. Jahns did not market forged pistons in the early days, they farmed that work out to JE.
    They are heavy, will need around .007-.008 skirt clearance, they are probably cam ground, but not as much as current piston technology and will grow a lot more being sand cast. Measure the skirt diameter and the compression height and that should help you in finding what engine they are for. Coming from the '50's or so JE won't know what they are, that's kinda like asking Howards Cams today about an old Howards grind from when Howard Johansen owned the company, no idea, not even a clue.

    I found the quote I was thinking of, it was from @Panneton Bros. Racing-
    The remnants of Jahns Engineering (the forged piston side of the business) had its name shortened many years ago to JE, you got it, that JE. I don't know what happened to the cast piston side, except my dad always told me they were THE WORST pieces of sand cast junk he has ever seen.
     
  7. Pass The Torch
    Joined: May 18, 2018
    Posts: 1,629

    Pass The Torch
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    So, a call to JE amounted to a "verbal blank stare"; not enough part numbers to go by (apparently they are either 5 or 6 digits). I have the following info though:

    Diameter - 4.050"
    Pin - 0.984"
    Height - 3.45" (give or take - calipers didn't quite have the depth needed).

    These were on a shelf with a bunch of other DeSoto Hemi parts, which is why I suggested / mentioned that earlier.
     
  8. Beanscoot
    Joined: May 14, 2008
    Posts: 3,053

    Beanscoot
    Member

    Is it just me, or is the skirt on that piston about a half inch thick?
     
  9. Pass The Torch
    Joined: May 18, 2018
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    Pass The Torch
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    Sounds about right, yes.
     
  10. Fordors
    Joined: Sep 22, 2016
    Posts: 5,372

    Fordors
    Member

    For the compression height only measure to the top of ring land area, not any portion of the dome.
    The diameter is too big for DeSoto, as is the pin diameter. They are from a Chrysler hemi and the factory c/h is 1.950 so if it checks less than that they are for a stroked crank.
    Oh, and no way are the skirts 1/2” thick, the engine wouldn’t rev enough to pull a greased string out of a dogs ass if they were that heavy. I think that band of aluminum around the bottom might be about 1/4” x 1/4” and the skirts will average around .150 thick. The first engine I ever owned was a ‘59 Pontiac 389 with Jahns pistons and dual AFB’s. I never used it, traded it off and went with SBC’s.
     
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2019
  11. sunbeam
    Joined: Oct 22, 2010
    Posts: 6,213

    sunbeam
    Member

    At that bore probally 392
     
  12. Pass The Torch
    Joined: May 18, 2018
    Posts: 1,629

    Pass The Torch
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Thank you all for your help and guidance. One note, and a few final pic's. There are snap rings / locks in the box as well, if that helps make an ID.

    IMG_4143.jpg IMG_4144.jpg
     
  13. Beanscoot
    Joined: May 14, 2008
    Posts: 3,053

    Beanscoot
    Member

    Okay, only 11/32" thick. Still a heck of a lot thicker than other pistons I've seen.
     
  14. seb fontana
    Joined: Sep 1, 2005
    Posts: 8,442

    seb fontana
    Member
    from ct

    A lot of that 11/32 would be removed during balancing, well maybe..
     
  15. Fordors
    Joined: Sep 22, 2016
    Posts: 5,372

    Fordors
    Member

    D05E8E9A-2EFE-48E5-99BB-39C7F5AD8516.jpeg You want to measure from the top of piston, exclusive of the dome, to the center line of the pin. If you find it easier push the pin out a bit and measure from bottom of pin to top of piston, then subtract 1/2 the pin diameter.
    As far as the skirt goes that band around the bottom is not the skirt thickness, it is there to beef up the skirt.
     
    Pass The Torch likes this.
  16. Pass The Torch
    Joined: May 18, 2018
    Posts: 1,629

    Pass The Torch
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    That's why you guys make the big bucks! I know way more about these than I did 6 months ago.


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  17. thorpe31
    Joined: May 4, 2011
    Posts: 164

    thorpe31
    Member
    from nor-cal

    392 4.00 x 3.90 c/d 2.125
    354 3.94 x 3.63 c/d 2.055
    331 3.81 x 3.63 c/d 2.078 (1956)
    331 3.81 x 3.63 c/d 1.937 (1951-53)
    From Sealed Power all with a .984 pin

    Could it be a .250 over early 331?
     
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2019
  18. Pass The Torch
    Joined: May 18, 2018
    Posts: 1,629

    Pass The Torch
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    And the winning number is: 1.870 (1.378 to top of pin, plus half the pin).


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     

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